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to give thanks

to give thanks

56 1.4
To show you are grateful, often in words or prayer
  • phrasal verb
  • /ɡɪv θæŋks/
translation icon : dar gracias
  • And so I have to give thanks for the blessings that I have.
  • give thanks to God

How could he fail to embrace and give thanks for this miraculous favor?

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Examples

  • Let us bring our minds together to give thanks for all these gifts that nurture us and sustain us.

    Academic text (2004)
  • - Lord, we have much to give thanks for.

  • Go in peace, speak the truth, give thanks for each day.

  • Soon we would sit down at the table and give thanks to God... and eat...

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Look around, recognize the amazing, and then give thanks for it every single day.

    Blog text (7)
  • I have something I'd like to give thanks for.

  • Notice this verse does not say to give thanks to the Lord when you feel good.

    Blog text (10)
  • Rejoice and give thanks, oh good people.

  • - My children, let us give thanks for this bountiful food.

  • Before we eat, let's give thanks for the delicious meal prepared for us.

Synonyms

to thank
vsto give thanks
1.0

Tell someone you are grateful for what they did

is broader, including spoken gratitude and prayerful expressions
to appreciate
vsto give thanks
3.2

To feel grateful for someone or something

involves expressing that gratitude aloud or in prayer
to recognize
vsto give thanks
  • Formal
305 1.4

To say or show thanks for what someone did

is more about personal expression of gratitude in words or prayer
to acknowledge
vsto give thanks
72 3.5

To say thank you for help or support

is specifically about offering gratitude in words or prayer
to say grace
vsto give thanks
35 5.5

To say a short prayer of thanks before a meal

is broader, covering any spoken or prayerful expression of gratitude
to gratias agere
vsto give thanks
  • Literature
9.9

To thank someone in a formal way

is the everyday act of expressing gratitude, including prayer
to mahalo
vsto give thanks
  • US
9.9

To say thank you to someone

is the general practice of expressing gratitude in words or prayer

Antonyms

1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

How Thankful

to give thanks
56 1.4
to thank
1.0

Surface Forms

give thanks infinitive
given thanks past participle
giving thanks present participle
gives thanks third person singular

Morphology

give + thanks

The meaning 'to express gratitude' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'give' (to provide or offer) with 'thanks' (expressions of gratitude); the phrase literally means to offer thanks. This compositional pattern (verb + noun meaning 'offer X') is common across languages and follows standard English usage, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Give thanks comes from the simple image of offering something: the verb give and the word thanks, as if you give a small gift or kind words to someone. People would offer words, prayers, or gifts to show thanks, so the phrase means 'to express thanks'.